This email is to update you on construction impacts to the Clear Creek Channel navigable waterway under the SH146 bridge. The closures have been updated to accommodate the construction schedule. The closures listed below have been approved by TxDOT and are necessary for the construction of the SH146 expansion project. The U.S. Coast Guard is reviewing this request under MSIB #55-20.
Channel Blocked: North (Inbound)*
Start Date: 11/16/20
End Date: 2/28/21
Please be advised that when one channel is closed, the other channel will have two-way vessel traffic. The two-way traffic will be managed as follows:
Traffic will be directed by a green and red signal on each side of the channel, indicating allowed direction of travel in the channel based on time. The time interval is 5 minutes per direction. This is based on feedback from the boating community and the U. S. Coast Guard.
Flagging vessels plan to use radio channel 16 to communicate with approaching vessels. Please pay attention to the radio and to message boards near the channel for any updates.
Flaggers on boats will direct traffic during daylight hours on Saturday and Sunday, or as directed by the U.S. Coast Guard.
To assist boaters in navigating through the correct channel, chains of red/orange round buoys will be placed delineating the edge of the travel to the open channel, and prevent boaters from entering the closed channel.
At various times law enforcement assets will be on-scene to included Galveston County Sheriff’s Marine Division and U.S. Coast Guard to ensure adherence to this marine traffic management plan.
Message boards will be placed on both approaches to the channel to assist with notifying approaching vessels.
*Coast Guard Restrictions: Per the U.S. Coast Guard, both channels will be fully open on the following dates: any dates posted on the Coast Guard MSIB 55-20 will be followed.
Additional closures will continue to take place throughout the SH146 project as both sides of the existing bridge are widened and a new express bridge is constructed. Notifications will be sent prior to future closures.
In the event that there are severe tropical storms, the contractor will remove and secure their equipment and re-open both channels until the weather subsides.
